By Russell Bennett
DID you hear the one about the first XI cricket side that refused to take to the field for an entire innings? It’s the situation that has the West Gippsland Cricket Association stumped.
After resuming on Saturday at 2/33 chasing Tooradin’s 187 in their District division clash at the Tooradin Recreation Reserve, Cranbourne Meadows was rolled for 63 in under 40 overs with Tim Lenders claiming 4/15 and lively newcomer Kade Burns 3/15.
But instead of fighting to stave off an outright loss, the Rebels refused to take to the field for their second innings – handing full points to Tooradin by default.
Officially, all the Cranbourne Meadows batsmen were timed out.
There were some suggestions on social media that over-the-top sledging from the Seagulls was to blame. The Gazette understands the WGCA has received a verbal complaint, but nothing yet in writing from the Rebels or the officiating umpires.
Tooradin has emphatically denied any such suggestion of inappropriate language and the association has asked Cranbourne Meadows to explain why its first XI didn’t take to the field for its second innings.
President Brett Armitage said he couldn’t recall a situation like this happening before.
From the Tooradin perspective, president Kane Latham said: “We have looked into the allegations with captains, players and umpires and everything was found to be above board and within the spirit of cricket.”
A number of Tooradin players mounted a staunch defense of their side, and their club – refuting any suggestion of abusive language or personal attacks – while Cranbourne Meadows declined to provide a comment on the incident to the Gazette.
